Convertible bag

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose carrier is provided for carrying one or more loose articles. The carrier comprises a sack and one or more carrying features for carrying the sack. The sack is convertible into different configurations for carrying items. In one embodiment, the sack may be configured for use as a tall shopping bag or a smaller shoulder bag. The sack may also have a drawstring operable to close the bag and for carrying the bag as a tote bag.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to carrying bags and moreparticularly to a versatile bag that may be converted for multiple usesand carrying positions.

BACKGROUND

[0002] In the present state of the art, individuals have countlessoptions for carrying loose items. Backpacks, dufflebags, purses, totebags, and shopping bags all offer different advantages and arefrequently manufactured with a specific purpose in mind. As bags havebecome more specialized, they have become more limited in function. Insome instances, functional limitations are not important to consumers,especially when style and appearance are considered. In these instances,the consumer is willing to buy and use different bags for differentoccasions.

[0003] Various functional attributes may be considered when selecting abag, including: the size of a bag, the strength of the bag, the means inwhich it can be carried, and the durability of the bag. These attributesmay be important to individuals engaged in everyday tasks, such ascarrying gifts, groceries or library books. In these instances,different loads will vary in size and weight, and the individual is notassured to have a suitable bag at hand. Bags may be too small or toolarge for a particular load, or they may be too flimsy. Bags may also belimited for one carrying position, which may be a problem if the load isparticularly heavy, or if the individual can not comfortably handle thebag in that position. Based on these practical considerations, it isdesirable to have a carrier with sufficient strength and storagecapacity to hold a number of different-sized articles. In addition, itis desirable to have a versatile carrier that can be adjusted fordifferent carrying positions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In light of the foregoing, an improved carrier bag is provided.The carrier is easily convertible for use as a large shopping bag, alarge tote bag or a smaller shoulder bag. Since the carrier can beconverted into different configurations, the carrier is versatile enoughto carry a variety of different sized loads. The carrier may be formedof a woven or extruded material that is durable enough for reuse. Inaddition, the bottom of the carrier may be constructed to form arectangular base that conforms to the rectangular geometry of boxes,flat bottomed bags and other items.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The foregoing summary as well as the following description willbe better understood when read in conjunction with the figures in which:

[0006]FIG. 1 is a front view of a convertible carrier in accordance withthe present invention, said carrier being configured for use as a largecarry-all bag or shopping bag;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a front view of the carrier in FIG. 1, wherein thecarrier is inverted for use as a shoulder bag;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a top view of the convertible carrier in FIG. 1;

[0009]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the convertible carrier in FIG. 1; and

[0010]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the convertible carrier inFIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0011] Referring to FIGS. 1-5 in general, and to FIGS. 1-2 specifically,a carrier 10 is shown in accordance with the present invention. Thecarrier comprises a tubular sack 12 having an open top end 20, a closedbottom end 30 and a strap 40 for holding the carrier. Sack 12 is easilyconvertible into multiple configurations suitable for carrying itemshaving different sizes and weights. The sack 12 may be configured as alarge carry-all bag or shopping bag, or alternatively as a smallershoulder bag. In addition, the sack may be closed and carried by adrawstring.

[0012] The open top end 20 is adjustable to different positions relativeto the strap 40 to provide a versatile carrier. When the top end 20 isextended, the sack is configured for carrying a relatively large volumeof items similar to a laundry bag. When the top end 20 is everted intothe sack 12, the vertical dimension of the carrier is significantlyreduced to accommodate a smaller load. Top end 20 is adapted to easilyfold down inside the sack 12 to allow the carrier 10 to be convertedfrom a large shopping bag to a smaller shoulder bag. A drawstring 24 intop end 20 is operable to open and close the top end and provide analternate handle when the top end is closed.

[0013] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, carrier 10 will be described in moredetail. The sack 12 is comprised of a tubular flexible sheet material,which may be formed of woven or extruded material such as a textilefabric, synthetic material or a plastic. For example, sack 12 may beformed of a ten-ounce cotton duck material. Sack 12 may also formed of amaterial with waterproofing or a water repellent material to keep thecontents of the sack dry when the sack is exposed to moist or wetconditions. The sheet material may be closed by a side seam 23 thatextends longitudinally along the side of the sack 12 to form a tubularshape, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0014] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 4, sack 12 has a top end 20 and apermanently closed bottom end 30. Open top end 20 has a peripheral edge22 that defines an opening 21. Sack 12 also comprises an interior side13 disposed inside carrier 10 and an exterior side 15 disposed on theoutside of the carrier. Bottom end 30 comprises a generally rectangularbottom side 32. The tubular sides of sack 12 generally conform to therectangular shape of bottom side 32 so as to maintain a uniformlyrectangular cross section.

[0015] A fold line 14 divides the sack into an upper segment 16 and alower segment 18. Fold line 14 is represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 as asingle dashed line. The axial length of the upper segment 16 is lessthan the axial length of lower segment 18. A pair of opposed straps 40are attached to the exterior side 15 of sack 12 on the lower segment 18.Each strap 40 comprises an elongated material having a pair of terminalends 42. Terminal ends 42 are secured on the lower segment 18 of sack 12at points that are equidistant from bottom end 30. In addition, terminalends 42 in each pair are spaced apart from one another at a distanceless than the width of said side. Each pair of terminal ends 42 ispreferably secured to a long side of rectangular sack 12 in asymmetrical arrangement. In particular, terminal ends 42 are preferablysecured to sack 12 such that the straps form a generally parabolic orU-shaped configuration. A variety of fasteners and methods of securementmay be used to secure terminal ends 42 to sack 12, including but notlimited to rivets, sewing, snaps, velcro or an adhesive.

[0016] Upper segment 16 is adjustable between two general positions: anextended position and in inverted position. In the extended position,shown in FIG. 1, upper segment 16 is disposed above lower segment 18such that the peripheral edge 22 is disposed above fold line 14.Terminal ends 42 on straps 40 are secured to sack 12 immediately belowfolding line 14. Preferably, the axial height of upper segment 16 isless than half the length of each strap 40. As such, a segment of eachstrap 40 may be raised above the peripheral edge 22 so as to form ahandle portion 45 and an arc-shaped opening 46 between the handle 45 andthe peripheral edge, as shown in FIG. 1. The length of strap 40 and itspositioning on lower segment 18 may be selected to form the desired sizehandle 45 and opening 46. In FIG. 1, the length of strap 40 permits anopening 46 for a hand so that carrier 10 can be lifted and carried likea shopping bag. When the upper segment 16 is unfolded in the extendedposition, the carrier 10 is preferably of sufficient size to completelyhold one large loaded shopping bag.

[0017] In the inverted position, shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, upper segment16 is folded along fold line 14 and disposed inside sack 12. Morespecifically, upper segment 16 is folded inwardly and downwardly intothe sack such that the upper segment and peripheral edge 22 are disposedinside sack 12 below the fold line 14. In this position, the verticaldimension of the carrier 10 is significantly reduced in comparison tothe vertical dimension of the carrier in the extended position. Asubstantially large section of each strap can be raised above the upperand lower segments 16, 18, forming an enlarged opening 46. As statedearlier, the length of strap 40 and its position on lower segment 18 maybe selected to form a handle 45 and opening 46 having a desired size. InFIG. 2, the length of strap 40 permits an opening 46 for a hand, arm orshoulder so that carrier 10 can be lifted and carried as a tote bag orshoulder bag.

[0018] Straps 40 may be constructed from a variety of common materialsknown in the art, such as synthetic, plastic, nylon, fiberglass or woventextile fabric. Thus far, straps 40 have been illustrated and describedas an elongated strip of material having a fixed length. It may bedesirable, however, to have a strap on carrier 10 that allowsindividuals to change the length of the strap to accommodate theirheight, shoulder thickness, the bulk of their clothing or other factorsthat affect the use of the shoulder straps. Therefore, carrier 10 mayinclude straps having either a fixed length or an adjustable length.Straps 40 may be adjustable by means of any conventional coupling deviceknown in the art, such as a buckle.

[0019] When the upper segment 16 is folded into the inverted position,fold line 14 forms a perimeter for an opening 48 in the sack 12, asshown in FIG. 2. Opening 48 may be slightly smaller than the opening 21formed when the upper segment 16 is in the extended position because thethickness of the upper segment decreases the inside dimensions of thesack. Preferably, the cross section of upper segment 16 is no largerthan the cross section of lower segment 18. In this way, upper segment16 can be easily folded inwardly into sack 12, and the inverted uppersegment will not form significant folds that substantially reduce theinterior dimensions of the sack.

[0020] Bottom end 30 has a generally rectangular bottom side 32configured to conform with department store boxes, paper shopping bagsand other objects having rectangular configurations. Bottom side 32 hasan interior bottom face 34, shown in FIG. 3, and an exterior bottom face36, shown in FIG. 4. The bottom end 30 may be closed to form a generallyrectangular shape using any conventional manufacturing technique.Referring to FIG. 5, the terminal edges of the fabric sheet areoverlapped and stitched together on the inside of the bag, such that theexterior bottom face 36 forms a substantially smooth and continuoussurface. Preferably, the seam allowance, or the amount of cut fabricextending within the interior of the sack 12, is less than one half inchin length. In this way, the amount of excess fabric that bunches up onthe interior bottom face 34 is reduced, and objects can be placed intothe bottom of sack 12 in a stable position against the interior bottomface 34. Referring to FIG. 4, the bottom end 30 is shown with a mainseam 33 that bisects the bottom side 32. A pair of cross seams 35 areformed at the ends of main seam 33 and extend in a direction generallyperpendicular to the main seam. This configuration of seams provides agenerally rectangular contour on bottom end 30.

[0021] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, top end 20 may include adrawstring 24 operable to substantially close the top end of sack 12when the upper segment 16 is unfolded in the extended position.Drawstring 24 extends outwardly from peripheral edge 22 and may becontained in a closed conduit 25 formed in the open top end 20. Fabricat the top end 20 may be folded inwardly into sack 12 and top-stitchedonto the inside of the sack to form the conduit. A slit or notch 28 maybe cut into the side of the folded top end 20 to form an aperture 29through which the drawstring 24 can be reached. Alternatively, a smallsegment of side seam 23 may be left open or unstitched to form anaperture in the folded top end 20, providing access to the drawstring24. Drawstring 24 may be formed of any woven or non-woven chordmaterial. Drawstring 24 is operable to close the opening 21 as tensionis applied to the exposed section of the drawstring 24. Morespecifically, drawstring 24 is operable to contract the size of theopening 21 when the exposed section of the drawstring is pulledoutwardly from the top edge 20 of the sack 12. As opening 21 iscontracted or closed, an increasingly longer section of the drawstring24 is exposed out of the slit 28 in top end 20. This exposed section ofdrawstring 24 forms an alternate handle for supporting the sack 12 whenthe opening 21 is contracted or closed.

[0022] An external pocket 50 may be attached to the sack exterior 15 forholding additional items. Pocket 50 may include a pouch section 52 andclosure tab 54 configured to open and close the pocket. Pocket 50 may beformed of a woven or extruded material in the form of fabric, syntheticmaterials or plastic. The pouch 52 may be formed from a piece ofmaterial attached to the exterior 15 of sack 12 on all but one side,said unattached side being left open to form an opening for the pocket.The pouch material may be secured to the exterior 15 of sack 12 bysewing, lamination, rivets, snaps, velcro or other conventionalfastening methods. Closure tab 54 may cooperate with pouch material 52to secure the pocket 50 in a closed position. More specifically, tab 54may cooperate with the pouch 52 to close the pocket by a snap, a zipper,a button, velcro or other conventional fastener. Pocket 50 may beconfigured in one of several shapes. In FIG. 1, pocket 50 is shownhaving a generally rectangular pouch 52 sewn to the exterior 15 of sack12. An arcuate closure flap 52 extends over the pouch to maintain thepocket 50 in a closed position.

[0023] The terms and expressions which have been employed are used asterms of description and not of limitation. There is no intention in theuse of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of thefeatures shown and described or portions thereof. It is recognized,therefore, that various modifications are possible within the scope andspirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention incorporatesvariations that fall within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A multi-purpose carrier for loose articles comprising atubular sack of flexible sheet material being permanently closed at oneend of the sack to form a closed bottom and being open at the other end,said open end having a closure element operable to effect closure ofsaid open other end, said tubular sack having a circumferential foldline dividing said sack into an upper segment and a lower segment, saidlower segment having an axial length greater than the upper segment,said lower segment having straps secured to said sack on the outsideadjacent said fold line, said upper segment operable to be folded insidethe lower section along said fold line by everting said upper segmentinto said lower segment.
 2. A carrier according to claim 1 including apocket formed on the outside of said lower segment adjacent said straps,said pocket including a flap operable to close said pocket.
 3. A carrieraccording to claim 1 wherein said bottom closure of the tubular sack isin the form of a substantially flat rectangular bottom having a lengthgreater than its width.
 4. A carrier according to claim 1 wherein saidstraps comprise a first pair of strap sections secured to said lowersegment at points which are spaced apart a distance less than the lengthof said rectangular bottom, said bottom being positioned underlying saidpair of straps.
 5. A carrier according to claim 4, wherein said firstpair of strap sections are interconnected remotely from points ofsecurement to said tubular sack to provide a loop for serving as ashoulder strap.
 6. A carrier according to claim 4, wherein said tubularsack is provided with a second pair of strap sections forming a loop onthe outside of said tubular sack on the opposite side from the firstpair of strap sections.
 7. A carrier according to claim 3, wherein saidsubstantially rectangular bottom is formed by providing one or moreseams in the flexible sheet material adjacent the bottom of the tubularsack, said seams causing the material of the sack to be formed into agenerally rectangular bottom.
 8. A carrier according to claim 1, whereinsaid open end of said tubular sack is provided with a peripheral hem,and said closure element comprises a draw string slidably engaged insaid hem.
 9. A carrier according to claim 3, wherein said flatrectangular bottom forms said tubular sack into a tube of generallyrectangular cross section corresponding in dimension to said flatbottom.
 10. An article for carrying items comprising: a sack; a firstcarrying feature; and a top edge on the sack adjustable to allowdifferent methods for carrying the sack.
 11. The article of claim 10wherein the top edge is displaceable into a first position and a secondposition.
 12. The article of claim 11 wherein the first carrying featureis usable as a handle when the top edge is displaced into the firstposition and as a shoulder strap when the top edge is displaced into thesecond position.
 13. The article of claim 12 further comprising a secondcarrying feature.
 14. The article of claim 13 wherein the top edge isfurther displaceable into a third position to allow the sack to becarried by the second carrying feature.
 15. The article of claim 14wherein the top edge is extended upwardly in the first position, foldeddownwardly in the second position, and contracted inwardly in the thirdposition.
 16. The article of claim 10 wherein the first carrying featureis one of a strap, a rope or a cable.
 17. The article of claim 13wherein the second carrying feature is a drawstring fed through the topedge and operable to open and close the sack.
 18. The article of claim10 wherein the sack comprises a substantially flat rectangular bottomside.
 19. A method for converting a carrying bag, comprising the stepsof; providing a tubular bag having an open top end and an open bottomend, wherein the bag has an upper portion having a height and a lowerportion having a height separated by a fold line; substantiallypermanently closing the second end of the bag to form the bottom of thebag; providing a pair of handles having terminal ends; attaching theterminal ends of the handles to the bag on opposing sides of the bagadjacent the fold line; and everting the upper portion of the bag intothe lower portion of the bag.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein thestep of everting comprises the step of everting substantially the entireupper portion of the bag into the lower portion of the bag.
 21. Themethod of claim 20 wherein the step of providing a bag comprisesproviding a bag such that the upper portion has a height and the lowerportion has a height that is greater than the height of the upperportion.
 22. The method of claim 19 wherein the height of the upperportion is at least approximately ¼ the height of height of the lowerportion.
 23. The method of claim 19 wherein the height of the upperportion is at least approximately ½ the height of the lower portion. 24.The method of claim 19 comprising the step of pulling the upper portionout of the lower portion and extending the upper portion upwardly abovethe lower portion.